Author Topic: right powder ? (Read 689 times)

olredhead · « **on:** August 30, 2004, 05:13:45 AM »

Hey guys I just ran out of my ole tried and true 3031 that I used for years in my 22-250 and 30-30 ( not NEF's) . I started looking around and there are so many new powders out there I have no idea where to start. Please give me your ideas on a couple of your favorites for 223's up to 52gr. I am using a Lee hand loader and looking for accuracy not super velocity.
Thanks olredhead :roll:

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2004, 05:59:25 AM »

Ol, my .223 reloading is for an AR-15 and I have neither sought nor expected top accuracy. For what it's worth, H-335 and H-322 work well. Jeff223's your boy for accuracy in the .223 Handies. Search to find the results of the last postal match for his load.

olredhead · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2004, 06:39:27 AM »

Thanks dj, I had forgotten jeff posted loads and bullets, must be that old-timers disease. Maybe I better rethink my bullet weights the way that cat shoots.

safetysheriff · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2004, 06:49:30 AM »

Although harder to clean up than many others, at least the velocities are tip-top, and they meter well: BL-C(2) or its bulk form(surplus) WC-846 are what I use in the .223, 308, and .22-250. The accuracy is excellent! I have used WIN' 748 as well, but actually prefer the bulk WC-846 because of its much lower cost. In the .223 Handi' I've had good results with Rem' and Win' primers, in either brand of brass as well.

I've loaded IMR 3031 in the .223 and found it very difficult to work with out of a measure, necessitating the weighing of every charge. (I use an RCBS measure and scale). I only keep '3031' around any longer because of its versatility. It's not a powder that I'd look for.

I wouldn't go back to any 'stick' powder in a narrow-necked .223. Yes, H322 is a finer-grained stick powder that meters rather well, but I've not tried it -- and I, for my needs, see no need to after using the BL-C(2) variants so well. H322 has an excellent reputation for accuracy.

I've recently used the Hornady 50 gr' spire points for ground hogs and have had great results with them.

Take care.

SS'

223Shooter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2004, 04:47:24 PM »

W-748 & H-335 shoot well in my .223 NEF. But now I use BenchMark with 55gr Horn SPs and 55gr Nosler BT. Both are deadly accurate. I see no need to use any other power but Benchmark. It works great and is very clean too. .. :grin:

Wlscott · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2004, 04:51:35 AM »

DJ, there's no reason why you shouldn't expect top accuracy out of your AR. Mine is a tack driver.

REd, I have been using BLC(2) and VArget exclusively for my .223's. It seems that the BLC(2) works better with lighter (50 grains and less) bullets, while the Varget shines with the heavier weight pills.

olredhead · « **Reply #6 on:** August 31, 2004, 05:29:35 AM »

Thanks for the info everybody. Guess I'll get a can of BLC2 to start with and start pickin up beer cans to buy something for the bigger bullets later.
olredhead :shock:

jim_in_fla · « **Reply #7 on:** August 31, 2004, 11:16:37 PM »

olredhead, I've found that 22gr of Hodgdon H4198 with any brass, Winchester WSR primers and with a 50 or 52 grain bullet is very accurate in my 24" Ultra .223, my Savage 11FXP3, a friends 22" Handi .223 and another friends very early model Mini-14. I've used Barnes Varminator 40 & 50gr, Winchester 50 & 55 gr PSP & 55gr FMJBT, Speer 50gr TNT and Sierra 50gr HP all with very good results from all 4 rifles. The Barnes 50gr have been the most accurate I've used so far. I MOLY coat all my bullets and that alone has really helped accuracy with all loads with any powder, not mention the extended cleaning intervals. Another friend with a Savage 110 .223 uses the same load and bullets I use except he uses IMR4198 with equally good results. He has to clean more often than I do because the Hodgdon powder seems to burn much cleaner. It meters very well with my Lee Powder Measure. I weigh every 10th round just as a precaution and all charges weigh exactly the same.

I don't have the load data handy at the moment but another good accurate powder with the same bullets is Accurate 2230c from Natchez. 2230c is the 1st powder I ever used because it's only $54.95 for 8 Lbs, I just ordered 32 Lbs more yesterday. The only drawback is that 2230c is not nearly as temperature stable as the Hodgdons. I have also used Benchmark and H322 with very good results.

I use an OAL of 2.21 inches on all bullets except Speer which is 2.235 inches, Speer's recommended length.

Hope this helps! :wink: